Protection Checklist

The following list will serve to protect you and your loved ones from a variety of scams.

1. Phone & Communication Safety

• Don’t trust caller ID: Scammers spoof numbers to look local or official. If in doubt, hang up and call the organization back at its published number.
• Block unknown callers and texts: Enable “silence unknown callers” on smartphones and never click links in unsolicited texts.
• Use call screening apps: Many carriers offer free spam protection tools.
  

2. Banking & Payment Protection

• Use credit instead of debit: Credit cards offer stronger fraud protection and don’t pull money directly from your bank account.
• Lock your credit and debit cards when not in use: Banks offer simple switches to lock your cards when not in use and easily unlock them when needed. Contact your financial institution for instructions.
• Set up account alerts: Enable text/email alerts for any transactions over a small amount, or for logins from new devices.
• Avoid gift card payments: No legitimate business or government agency demands payment by gift card.
  

3. Credit & Identity Monitoring

• Lock or freeze your credit with all three bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion). This prevents new accounts from being opened in your name.
• Shred sensitive papers: Old bills, checks, or statements should be shredded, not tossed in the trash.
• Use strong, unique passwords: Never reuse the same password—consider a password manager.
• Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on email, banking, and shopping accounts.
• Check your credit reports at least annually: By keeping informed of activity on your credit reports you can quickly address any false information.
  

4. Property & Legal Protections

• Sign up for county deed alerts to get notified of any property title changes. Visit your county Clerk and Recorder's office online to sign up for this free service.
• Review annual tax statements: Unexpected changes in assessed value can signal title fraud.
• Check your Social Security earnings statement annually to confirm no fraudulent work history has been added.
  

5. Online & Tech Safety

• Keep devices updated: Install updates on phones, tablets, and computers, they often include security patches.
• Be cautious with public Wi-Fi: Use your cell data or a VPN when possible for sensitive tasks.
• Don’t overshare online: Scammers piece together personal info from social media to make scams sound believable.
  

6. Everyday Awareness

• Pause before you pay: Urgency (“act now or else”) is a scam red flag.
• Verify requests directly: If you get an email, text, or call from someone claiming to be your pastor, grandchild, or a government agency, verify through another channel before sending money or personal info.
• Educate & check in on loved ones: Seniors and isolated individuals are often targeted. Talking openly about scams reduces shame and keeps people alert.
  
  
  

These are very simple actions we can take to be a bit safer in our environment.

Image used is from Freepik.com